Sewing machine cabinet

ABSTRACT

A sewing machine cabinet for providing single level sewing on a machine having the capability of conversion from a flatbed to a cylinder bed mode is disclosed. The sewing machine fits on a support platform pivotably mounted within the frame of the cabinet. In the operable position of the sewing machine the platform is locked in the horizontal position. The cabinet includes a top which is telescopically received about the frame of the cabinet and includes an aperture through which the entire sewing machine may pass. Means are provided for raising or lowering the top relative to the sewing machine bed. When the top is in the uppermost position it is at the same elevation as the work support surface of the machine so as to provide a flatbed mode of operation of the machine and when the top is positioned in its lowermost elevation the machine may be utilized in the cylinder bed mode. The mechanism disclosed for elevating the top is a crank which is manually turned by means of a operator engageable handle and a pair of levers which are connected to one arm each of a pair of bell crank levers pivotally mounted in the frame. Each of the bell crank levers as disclosed includes a rod movable therewith and connected to each of another pair of bell crank levers on the opposite side of the cabinet. One arm of each of the bell crank levers engages the lower surface of the top.

United States Patent [1 1 Current [45 Sept. 18, 1973 SEWING MACHINE CABINET [75] Inventor: Wayne A. Current, Cranford, NJ.

[73] Assigne: The Singer Company, New York,

[22] Filed: Aug. 23, I972 [2]] Appl. No.: 283,027

Primary ExaminerCasmir A. Nunberg Attorney-Marshall J. Breen et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A sewing machine cabinet for providing single level sewing on a machine having the capability of conversion from a flatbed to a cylinder bed mode is disclosed. The sewing machine fits on a support platform pivotably mounted within the frame of the cabinet. In the 0perable position of the sewing machine the platform is locked in the horizontal position. The cabinet includes a top which is telescopically received about the frame of the cabinet and includes an aperture through which the entire sewing machine may pass. Means are provided for raising or lowering the top relative to the sewing machine bed. When the top is in the uppermost position it is at the same elevation as the work support surface of the machine so as to provide a flatbed mode of operation of the machine and when the top is positioned in its lowermost elevation the machine may be utilized in the cylinder bed mode. The mechanism disclosed for elevating the top is a crank whichis manually turned by means of a operator engageable handle and a pair of levers which are connected to one arm each of a pair of bell crank levers pivotally mounted in the frame. Each of the bell crank levers as disclosed includes a rod movable therewith and connected to each of another pair of bell crank levers on the opposite side of the cabinet. One arm of each of the bell crank levers engages the lower surface of the top.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEIJSEH 8M3 SHEEIZUZ IIIIII 1 SEWING MACHINE CABINET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to sewing machine cabinets and more particularly to a cabinet capable of providing one level sewing in conjunction with a sewing machine convertible from a flatbed to a cylinder bed mode of operation.

Sewing machines adapted to be convertible between a flatbed adapted to support flat work panels and a cylinder bed adapted to accommodate tubular work pieces have the obvious advantage of flexibility not found in a machine capable of sewing in only one of these modes. This type of sewing machine has generally been used by supporting it on a table, but the work support surface is then limited to the work surface of the sewing machine itself, and since this is of necessity a limited area it is inconvenient when so used. The problem with prior art cabinets for mounting sewing machines convertible between the flatbed and the cylinder bed modes is that in order to convert to cylinder bed mode from flatbed mode when the top surface of the cabinet is coextensive with the sewing machine work surface, it is necessary to raise the sewing machine to the cylinder bed mode so that a tubular work piece may freely pass about the cylinder bed. The problem with moving the sewing machine is that the sewing level during cylinder bed differs from the sewing level during flatbed. Surveys have shown that a sewer is most comfortable when the bed of the machine is located at a certain distance above the floor or above the level of the chair in which she sits. In the prior art designs, a cabinet in which the machine sat at this most convenient position during one of the modes compromised the convenience in the other mode. Thus the prior art cabinets do not meet the optimum condition of sewing during both modes of operation of the machine.'

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes these deficiencies of the prior art by providing a cabinet in which the top is moved vertically while the sewing machine is fixed in the operable position at the ideal level for the operator. This is accomplished by providing in a cabinet a support platform on which the sewing machine is secured and over which is superposed in telescopic relationship with the frame of the cabinet, a top having an aperture through which the sewing machine may freely pass. Means are provided for lifting and lowering the top about the bed of the sewing machine from a lower or cylinder bed position to a raised or flatbed position. In the lower position the top is substantially coplanar with the sewing machine support platform and tubular work pieces may conveniently be handled on the cylinder bed, while in the raised position the top is substantially coplanar with the sewing machine work surface and forms a continuation thereof.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a sewing machine cabinet in which the top may be elevated between alower position and an upper position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sew- I BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The particular features and advantages of the invention as well as other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a cabinet constructed in accordance with the present invention and illustrating the sewing machine in the operable position, the top of the cabinet being shown by dotted lines in the flatbed position and by solid lines in the tubular bed position;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 to a FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view partially in cross section of the cabinet of FIG. 1 showing the machine in a stored position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cabinet with the top dissembled therefrom; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote similar parts throughout the various views, a cabinet constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated for purposes of explanation only and should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. This cabinet consists of a pair of side panels 12 and 14, which in the present embodiment of the invention serve as legs for the cabinet and in conjunction with a front panel 16 and a rear panel 18, to which they are secured, form the frame of the cabinet. Secured to each of the side panels 12 and 14 by conventional means, such as the dovetail arrangement shown, is a respective side rail 20 and 22. To each end of the rails 20 and 22, a front rail 24 and a rear rail 26 is secured by conventional means. Pivotably mounted in each rail 20 and 22 adjacent the front thereof is one end of a respective link 28 and 30, the other end of which is pivotably connected to a sewing machine support platform 32. A respetive metal plate 34 and 36 locks the pivot pins of links 28 and 30 in the respective rail 20 and 22, while a respective bracket 38 and 40 secured to the platform 32 receives the other pivot pin of the links 28 and 30. Substantially midway between the front and rear of each of the rails 20 and 22 is a respective cutout 42 and 44, over the rear portion of which is mounted a respective block 46 and 48. The cutouts 42 and 44 are adapted to receive the ends of a locking rod 50 which is mounted on the bottom of the support platform adjacent the rear thereof by means of brackets 52, 54 and 56. The rod is spring biased rearwardly by means of a spring 58 secured to the rear of the platform and to the rod. The rod 50 includes a handle portion 60 which is adapted to be grasped by the hand of an operator so as to lock or release the ends of the rod 50 from the slots 42 and 44 beneath the blocks 46 and 48. Thus, the platform 32 may be positioned in a horizontal plane corresponding to the operative position of the sewing machine, or may be pivoted downwardly into the cabinet into a vertical position for storage of the machine. Mounted on the upper surface of the platform 32 is a plurality of seats 62 adapted to receive a corresponding number of feet 64 on the bottom of the bed 66 of a sewing machine 67.

An L shaped latch member 68 extends through the support platform 32 and is secured to the machine bed to lock the machine on the platform. A wing nut 69 provides the proper clamping force between the platform 32 and the machine. The machine being thus properly secured to the platform, it may be stored in the horizontal position as shown in FIG. 3. A resting block 70, secured the rail 26, acts as a stop for the sewing machine in the stored position.

Superposed over the cabinet frame is a top 72 including a downwardly extending peripheral skirt 74 adapted to be telescopically received about the tops of the panels, 12, 14, 16 and 18. The top has an opening 76 large enough so that the top may freely pass vertically about the sewing machine when the latter is in the operable position. The top also includes two hinged leaves 78 and 80 and a hinged door 82. The leaves 78 and 80 act as workbed extensions for the sewing machine when horizontally extended with the machine in the operable position, and fold toward the center of the top to provide an enclosure for the entire upper portion of the cabinet when the machine is in the stored position. The door 82 acts as a closure member for the rear of the opening 76 while the machine is operatively positioned in the front of the opening.

The bed 66 of the sewing machine 67 is of the type disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,344,762 and is readily convertible between a flatbed mode adapted to support planar work panels and a cylinder bed mode adapted to accommodate tubular work pieces. For a further understanding of this type of work supporting bed, reference should be had to the aforesaid U. S. patent. It is sufficient for present purposes to note that the sewing machine work support surface 84 is the required work supporting level for sewing during the flatbed mode while during the cylinder bed mode the lower portion of the cylinder bed 86 must be spaced above the work surface so that a tubular work piece may freely pass thereabout. In order to accomplish this, the present invention provides for the top 72 to elevate from a first position corresponding substantially to the elevation of the feet 64 to a second position corresponding to the work surface 84. To this end, the present invention provides a bracket 88 having two parallel legs 90 and 92 secured between the rail 24 and the panel 16 at the front of the machine by conventional means such as screws 94 extending through feet 96 and 98 of the bracket and respectively passing into the rail 24 and the panel 16. As best seen in FIG. 3, the legs 90 and 92 each has a respective hole 100 and 102 within which is mounted a pin 104. A circular crank member 106 having a radially extending crank arm 108 integral therewith is journaled on the pin 104 and a cylindrical handle 112 is connected by means of a pin 110 to the free end of the arm 108. Pin connected at diagonally opposed radial points on the crank 106 is a pair of levers 114 and 116. A pair of rods 118 and 120 are journaled in grooves in the front rail 24 and the rear rail 26 adjacent the sides 12 and 14 and are maintained vertically therein by means of four plates, 122, 124, 126 and 128 secured to a respective one of the sides 12 or 14 and a respective rail 24 or 26 at each end of each rod. One bell crank 130, 132, 134 or 136 is secured at its elbow by means of a screw 138 to each end of a respective rod 118 and 120. The lever 114 is pivotally connected to a leg 140 of the bell crank 130 while the lever 116 is pivotally connected to a leg 142 of the bell crank 134.

The other leg 144 of lever and 146 of lever 134 and a leg 148 oflever 132 and leg 150 of lever 136 are each received within a channel formed in the bottom surface of the top by a pair of downwardly extending ribs 152 and 154, only two of which are shown (see FIG. 3). Thus, as the handle 112 is moved from the solid line position of FIG. 1 to the dotted line position, the crank 106 turns and the levers 114 and 116 cause the arms and 142 to turn towards each other and effect a raising of the legs 144 and 146. Similarly the legs 148 and raise and all four legs operating against the bottom surface of the top, effects a raising of the top 72 to the flatbed mode, shown dotted in FIG. 1. When the handle 112 is moved in the other direction the top 72 is lowered down onto the panels 12 and 14 to the cylinder bed mode position, shown by the solid lines of FIG. 1.

To insure that the top is in the proper elevational position in each of the two modes of operation of the machine, the rail 20, as illustrated in FIG. 5, is provided with a bushing 156 within which may slide a hollow rod 158. The rod 158 has a flange 160 on the bottom thereof and is secured by means of a screw 162 to a rod 164 extending down through a hollow portion of the rod. The rod 164 is integral with a stopping block 166 secured to the bottom surface of the top. The stop 166 is of such a height that when it is positioned on the flange 168 of the bushing 156, the top is in its proper lowermost position; and the rod 158 is of such a length that when the flange 160 abuts the bottom of the bushing 156, the top is in its topmost position. Adjustment of the screw 162 may effect a change in the distance between the bottom of the stop 166 and the top of the flange 160 to thereby effect an overall change in the elevational variation of movement of the top 72 to correspond to machines of different bed heights.

It should thus be clear that a cabinet is provided in which single level sewing can be accomplished in either a cylinder bed or flatbed mode of operation of the sewing machine by providing a cabinet in which the cabinet top moves to effect the change in the work surface level while the sewing machine sits in a fixed operable position. The operator merely moves the adjusting handle 112 from one side of the cabinet to the other side thereof to effect a change in position of the upper surface of the top to correspond to the desired work surface for either flat bed or cylinder bed operation.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the an. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention. All

such modifications which do not depart from the spirit I of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what is claimed herein is:

l. A sewing machine cabinet comprising a substantially horizontal platform for supporting a sewing machine in an operable position, a top for said cabinet superposed over said platform, means defining an opening in said, top through which the sewing machine may freely pass, and means for elevating said top vertically between a first position and a second position.

2. A cabinet as recited in claim 1 wherein said top elevating means comprises lifting means engaging said top and movable in a vertical plane, a manually rotatable crank member and lever, and means'connecting said crank member with said lifting means for moving said lifting means. in said vertical plane.

3. A cabinet as recited in claim 2 wherein said lifting means comprises at least a pair of pivotally mounted lifting arms, said lever means comprising a first lever connecting said crank to afirst lifting arm of said pair and a second lever connecting said crank to the second lifting arm of said pair.

4. A cabinet as recited in claim 3 wherein each of said lifting arms comprises a bell crank lever, means for pivotally mounting said bell crank in said cabinet, a first arm of each bell crank being connected to one of said levers, the second arm of each bell crank being disposed in abutting relation with said top.

5. A sewing machine cabinet comprising front, rear and side panels secured together to form a frame, a sewing machine platform mounted in said frame on which a sewing machine is adapted to rest, a top com- 6. A cabinetas recited in claim 5 including stop means secured to said top to limit the travel of said top between an upper and a lower elevational limit.

7. A cabinet as recited in claim 6 including means for pivotally mounting said support platform on said frame for pivoting between a horizontal position and a vertichine having a bed including mounting feet on the bot- .prising a substantially horizontal planar surface and a tom thereof and a worksurface on the top thereof, said top stop means being disposed such that at said upper elevational limit said top planar surface forms a continuation of said sewing machine work surface, and at said lower elevational limit said top planar surface is at substantially the same elevation as said support platform. 10. In a cabinet as recited in claim 9 wherein said top elevating means comprises at least a pair of lifting arms engaging top at opposite sides of said aperture, lever means connected to each of said arms for moving the same in a vertical plane, and manually operable means for activating said lever means to thereby move said lifting arms. 

1. A sewing machine cabinet comprising a substantially horizontal platform for supporting a sewing machine in an operable position, a top for said cabinet superposed over said platform, means defining an opening in said top through which the sewing machine may freely pass, and means for elevating said top vertically between a first position and a second position.
 2. A cabinet as recited in claim 1 wherein said top elevating means comprises lifting means engaging said top and movable in a vertical plane, a manually rotatable crank member and lever, and means connecting said crank member with said lifting means for moving said lifting means in said vertical plane.
 3. A cabinet as recited in claim 2 wherein said lifting means comprises at least a pair of pivotally mounted lifting arms, said lever means comprising a first lever connecting said crank to a first lifting arm of said pair and a second lever connecting said crank to the second lifting arm of said pair.
 4. A cabinet as recited in claim 3 wherein each of said lifting arms comprises a bell crank lever, means for pivotally mounting said bell crank in said cabinet, a first arm of each bell crank being connected to one of said levers, the second arm of each bell crank being disposed in abutting relation with said top.
 5. A sewing machine cabinet comprising front, rear and side panels secured together to form a frame, a sewing machine platform mounted in said frame on which a sewing machine is adapted to rest, a top comprising a substantially horizontal planar surface and a downwardly extending skirt telescopically received about the tops of said panels, means defining an aperture in said planar surface through which a sewing machine may freely pass, and means for elevating said top relative to said panels and support platform.
 6. A cabinet as recited in claim 5 including stop means secured to said top to limit the travel of said top between an upper and a lower elevational limit.
 7. A cabinet as recited in claim 6 including means for pivotally mounting said support platform on said frame for pivoting between a horizontal position and a vertical position.
 8. A cabinet as recited in claim 7 wherein said top includes at least a leaf hinged thereto for closing said opening when said platform is in the vertical position.
 9. In a cabinet as recited in claim 6, a sewing machine mounted on said support platform, said sewing machine having a bed including mounting feet on the bottom thereof and a work surface on the top thereof, said top stop means being disposed such that at said upper elevational limit said top planar surface forms a continuation of said sewing machine work surface, and at said lower elevational limit said top planar surface is at substantially the same elevation as said support platform.
 10. In a cabinet as recited in claim 9 wherein said top elevating means comprises at least a pair of lifting arms engaging top at opposite sides of said aperture, lever means connected to each of said arms for moving the same in a vertical plane, and manually operable means for activating said lever means to thereby move said lifting arms. 